I am a 64 year old male that was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes when I was
62. My glucose level was only slightly elevated and I have been able to
control the glucose with diet and exercise. When I was 62 I also entered a
research program to test for Insulin Antibodies. I tested positive, but
because I have been able to control the disease with diet and exercise
nothing was ever done about the antibodies. Now that I am 64, the glucose
level in my body slowly keeps rising.

Do you believe the increase in the glucose level is due to the Insulin
Antibodies and if so what should I do about it? If I started to take
insulin would not the antibodies negate that effect?

Answer:

How very interesting! You may be at risk of becoming a curiosity,
let me explain. Type 2 Diabetes, which would be the normal diagnosis in a
62 year old, is a disorder of insulin resistance, which can usually be
controlled by diet and exercise or oral medication. Occasionally insulin
supplementation is required. Type 1 Diabetes is a disorder of the immune
system, and it is in these cases that antibodies are found. Insulin is
almost always needed. So far, however, the oldest cases of Type 1 Diabetes
have been in their early forties.

I think that the first step is to ask your doctor to check with
the laboratory that carried out the antibody assay and have them repeat
it. It is always possible that there has been a laboratory error and if
necessary you should arrange to submit another sample. However if the
presence of antibodies is indeed confirmed then you will need insulin to
overcome the rising blood sugars; but the presence of anti-insulin
antibodies should not significantly affect the action of any injected
insulin.

Last Updated: Tuesday April 06, 2010 15:08:54
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